The Federal Government has stepped in to prevent an impending nationwide strike by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) against the Dangote Group, over what the union describes as anti-labour and anti-union practices.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, has summoned both the Dangote Group and NUPENG leadership to an emergency tripartite meeting scheduled for 3 p.m. today in Abuja.
NUPENG announced an indefinite nationwide strikebeginning today, citing grievances that include poor working conditions, low wages, and a new recruitment policy that allegedly bars drivers from joining any union — a move the union says violates Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, the Labour Act, and several ILO conventions.
“These crude anti-union practices and monopolistic agenda by Alhaji Aliko Dangote and his allies are not just against petroleum workers but the entire Nigerian working class,” NUPENG declared in a statement.
The union further accused Dangote of creating a management-backed rival association — the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association (DTCDA) — aimed at weakening NUPENG’s influence. According to NUPENG, DTCDA is not a genuine workers’ body but a front orchestrated by Dangote and Sayyu Dantata of MRS Oil.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has thrown its weight behind NUPENG, urging its 54 affiliates and 36 state councilsto prepare for solidarity actions.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, described the actions of Dangote as a “declaration of war against Nigerian workers.” He warned that if not checked, this would set a dangerous precedent for union busting across other sectors.
“If Dangote is allowed to go unchecked, it means no Nigerian worker is safe,” Ajaero said. “Our solidarity is non-negotiable.
With NUPENG’s directive, fuel supply chains are expected to be disrupted. Many filling stations have already begun rationing fuel amid rising prices and anticipated shortages.
The Edo State chapter of the NLC has also declared support, urging residents to stock up on petroleum products.
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), backed NUPENG’s strike and criticized the Dangote Group’s labour practices. He called on the Federal Government to intervene immediately and halt what he described as a breach of national and international labour laws.
Falana cited violations of Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, the Trade Union Act, and international treaties, including ILO Conventions 87 and 98, as well as UN human rights instruments.
“Nigeria has a legal obligation to protect workers’ rights. The government must call Dangote to order and stop the monopolistic practices,” Falana said.
He also called on the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to probe Dangote’s dominance in the oil and gas sector, saying such monopolistic tendencies contravene the FCCP Act of 2018.
